Diamond Aircraft Takes DART-550 Aerobatic Trainer On First Flight

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Diamond Aircraft recently completed a basic flight program for its single-engine DART-550, a new aerobatic trainer that part of the company’s DART Series of special mission aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.)

Austria-based Diamond Aircraft completed a basic flight program in May for a new single-engine DART-550 aerobatic trainer it is adding to its DART Series of special mission aircraft. Diamond Aircraft, which Wanfeng Aviation Industry Co. acquired last year, manufactures single- and twin-engine piston and turboprop aircraft, including the DA20, DA40, DA42, and DA62. The flight program for the DART-550 included low approaches, system checks, landing gear operations at varying speeds, and a short-field take-off demonstration.

On Display

Diamond indicates it will make the DART-550 available in different models featuring varying engine power ratings, seat configurations, and avionics options to match customer needs. The DART-550 aircraft completing the flight program powered on a 550-horsepower GE H75-100 turboprop engine featuring an electronic engine and propeller control (EEPC) system, as well as a five-blade, full-feather MT propeller, Martin-Baker MK16 ejection seats, and Garmin G3000 integrated avionics systems.

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Diamond Aircraft will have its new DART-550 aerobatic trainer available at its static display at the Farnborough Airshow in the U.K. in mid-July. (Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.)

Founded in 1981, Diamond will make the DART-550 available at the company’s static display at the Farnborough Airshow set for July 16-22 in the U.K. Diamond says the aircraft will offer a maximum 247 KTAS speed with a maximum takeoff weight of 5,291 pounds (2,400 kilograms) and empty mass of 3,527 pounds (1,600 kilograms) when fully equipped.

Out With The Old

Markus Fischer, DART Series sales director, explained in a news release that the DART-550 represents a “massive push” for Diamond toward being the only aircraft manufacturer “offering the full range for basic flight training.” By integrating state-of-the-art glass cockpit technology, high-quality ejection seats, and GE’s turbine engine expertise into a fully carbon-fiber airframe, Fischer says the DART-550 will make it “very difficult for DART’s competition when performance and commercial arguments become a critical decision-making factor.” He added the DART Series will “eliminate old-generation” trainer “from the market for a very long period of time.”

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Cockpit view of the DART-550 aerobatic trainer. (Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.)

Roughly two years ago, Diamond Aircraft’s two-seat DART-450 aerobatic civilian trainer completed its maiden drive. Billed as the world’s first all-carbon-fiber tandem two-seat aerobatic civilian trainer with sidestick control, the DART-450 included a 500-horsepower Ivchenko-Progress/Motor Sich AI-450S turboprop engine, five-blade MT propeller, and Garmin avionic system.

If you’re in the market for Diamond Aircraft planes, Controller.com has numerous models for sale, including pre-owned DA20s, DA40s, and DA42s.

Source: Diamond Aircraft

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